Garment hanger



Oct. 26,v 1948.,l J. Ff. APPLEMAN 2,452,345'

GARMENv-HANGEH Filed Jan. 15, 1946 2 sheets-sheet '1V wril l I lPatented Oct. 26, 1948 discurren srA'rss ATENT oFFlCE 7, claims.

This invention relates to improvements in garment hangers, and moreparticularly, to the type of hanger described and claimed in mypending lapplication for Letters Patent, Serial No; 622,243,

led `October 15, 1945, which resulted in U. S.,v

Patent No. 2,426,292 issued August 26, 1947.

The invention has for its principal desiderata to provide a hanger forcoats, skirts, trousers and devious other articles of wearing apparelwhich,

vby reason of itsrmeritorious and novel construevtion, willsimultaneously support bifurcated or skirted apparel and other bodygarments, such as coats, clcaks, overcoats or the like in proper form,

and so, prevent wrinkling and/or mis-shaping of the same during theirhanging; moreover, to pre-,l

vent undesirable relative shifting of the` hanger v`engaged andsupported garments, as by reason of movement of the hanger upon, along-or from and to its supportingmedium.

It is a yfurther and equally important object f of the invention toprovide a garment hanger of the indicated character whose over-alllength may be selectively adjusted whereby to effect a I properly snugfitting and/or engagement of a cloak, coat or similar body garmenttherewith,

the length adjustment of the hanger being ac- Y'complished bythejoperation of a simple though Ypositive means provided to theshoulder engaging and receiving` portions of the hanger forautomatically imparting longitudinal movement in t opposite directionsthereto. without disturbing or otherwise detrimentally aliecting theirproper and operative assembly,

Theinvention also aims to provide a garment ,hangen in which therelatively opposed comy,panionate sections of its assembly will bepossessed of a maximum of stressresistance properties, i. e., resistanceto stresses which may and will ybe applied there@ by garments engagedand supported upon it, as well .as those to which the device will besubjected during over-all handling y and use of the same.

The foregoing, as wellas other objects, advanform'of the inventionpresented herein is a precisei and what is now considered to be thebest;

mode of embodying its principles, but that modifications and changes maybe made in specific embodiments, without departing from its essential.features:

y In the drawings: l.

v -Figure 1 is a perspective view of a coat hanger constructed inaccordance with my invention.

Figure 2is a top plan View ofthe same, Figure 3 is Va fragmentary topplan view of the A'hanger with a portionof lthe same. broken away andshown in section to illustrate the means for and the manner in whichlongitudinal adjusting movement is impartedto the hanger shoulderengaging members.

- Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of the improved hanger inwhich the means for transmitting movement to the hanger shoulderengagingmembers is 'shown with the pinion provided thereto andthe racktooth provided portions of said members shown in dotted lines.

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4,looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

Figure 6 is'a horizontal section taken through theY shoulder engagingmember retaining sleeve illustrating the adjacent ends of said membersin partially distended positions and valso illustrating, in dottedlines, the formation of the adjacent inner endsof` said members and thepinion for transmitting motion thereto.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary edge or side View of an inner end portion ofone of the shoulder engaging members showing its formation and themanner in'which rack teeth are provided to the same, and i i Figure 8 isa fragmentary vdetail in plan of the l innerend portion of; one of theshoulder engaging members.

Referring iny detail tothe construction illusposed and aligned garmentshoulder engaging and supporting members l and 2, `each of which isslopingly curved throughout its length and has a transversely convexouter surface and outer end ,portionA whereby to :render it more or lessshape ,while being formed with transversely convex outer surfaces, asabove described, are substantially straightand in parallel relationshipto the outer or upper portions thereof, the purpose of which will behereinafter described. Each thereof is formed with width reducedcomplemental 5 are arranged. The upper flange-like sides 6 of saidreduced portions 3 and ll, that is, the nangelike sides above theirrespective longitudinal channels, are straight-edged and are adapted tobe abuttingly engaged, as well shown in'Figure 5.- of

' the accompanying drawings. The lower flanged or flange-like sides ofeach of said portions 3 and 4,

andere lindicated for clarity by the numeral 1, aie straight edged butare of less Width than the upper anged sides 6. Thus, it will be seenthat the resultant spacingof the sides .Lupen assemblyandjuxtapositioning Vofthey portions 3 and ofthesupporting members I and 2,provides a longitudinal way between th innr and straight faces of saidre- 'wili be hereinafter apparent.

l The outer and downwardly disposed Aends o the supporting members I and2 are each'iormed 'with downwardly disposedgsides or-extensions `Il,'whose outer surfaces are transverselyconvex to conform with theadjacent portions of the convex surfaces of said supporting members.Inwardly 'duced end portions 3 and 4, the purpose of which disposedextensions er1-arms 5 l and .Iii are integral .Witheach of the saidsides^8- and have their'free portions longitudinally bifurcated, asindicated at II. These bifurcated portions of the extensions .USand'iiB,.as Ashown vin Figures' 1, 2 and-5 ofthe drawings, are juxtapositionedand are larranged l'in thesame plane; :moreoverfsaid extensions aredisposed substantially parallel to thestraightedge *innerportions 3 .andd of the members .i and 2.

Tostrengthen or reinforce the bifurcated extensions@ and I0, `I rmay.and preferably:V do 'form v:bracing xwebs t2 integralwith. adjacentportions of the outer ends of the supporting members I -andf-Z, theirrespective-sides-or extensions 8', and -V`their respective inwardly .idisposed bifurcatedv ex- 'tensions 9 and 1G.

M'Because of the `formation-and relative disposition of the Widthreduced bifurcated extensions or arms-45 andHl, it Will-be seen, uponreference to Fig. 1 of theaccompanying draWings,"-that Ysuch 'arms,YWith thekassemblingof. their respective supporting members I and 2,'Will.be arranged in 'relativelyl vlongitudinallyv opposed juxtaposition;-#'also, that because of-the-reduced Width of-said bifurcatedextensions, they will be arranged-in more oriless' nested relationship.'The respective `length 'lof lfea'oh lof: the-biurcated extensions orarms 9 and IIl, is such that spacing Will-be nor- "ill,-will-beffacilitatedy sAn inwardlyextending lug i3 is integral. with orotherwise .nxedly fmounted P upon thev inner. .side -of'each-ofthebifurcatedarms'fQ-andIB, somewhat in proximityto therespective outerendsthereof.

'Consequently, with opposed longitudinal move- A`mentr ofthe supportingmembers'l and 2-in-'direc tionsto increase the lover-all length of theimj'prov'ed hangerjsaidlugs will interengage, and so, limit `the extentof outward adjusting longitudinal jmovementv ofthe supportimg members.

Inorderthat longitudinal movement in opposite directionsmaybeselectivelyimpartedto the supporting members I and 2, the device'isprovided Awith ahandlefor-knob1I-4mountingthereona*shaft i5, :the vinnerendofwhich--xedly carries a' gear I6 positioned between the rack 4teeth5, hereinabove describedfpr'ovided onthe `inner straight sides ofthe"reduced eo'mplementaliportions 3 and 4ofthemembers-I-and`-2,respectively. The'diameter 'of the gear-IEfisjsuchias to effect a positive meshing -of itsf'vteeth'withtheaforesaid rack'teeth on the opposite faces of-the reduced portions 3and-4.

Aretaining'sleeve;madelofmetalor other suit- `able-material, and-hereinsindicated bythe numersides l,

al 'l, is snugly engaged transversely about the intermediate portion ofthe hanger construction or assembly, to wit, over and about the reducedcom- ,.plemental portions 3.,.and y.4,hereinbefore described. '.'Ihenormally lower or under side of the sleeve is provided with an opening(see Figure 5) through which the stub shaft I5 passes into the wayafforded by the relatively spaced flange-like At this point, it will benoted that the length of the stub shaft I5 is such that the knob orhandle I4 will have its inner side directly adja- -cent'thecorresponding portions of the outer face may be attached tof-andsupported from a. suitable supporting means or object, as for example, abar, rod, etc.

above inferred, the length and width of .the retaining.sleeve'l'lwissuch that it effects a comparatively snug engagement about .and with therelatively straight reduced complemental portions 3 andi 4 of thesupporting members 'I and* 2, also,

.its cross-sectional shape substantially corresponds y.with that of saidcomplemental portions :Sand

t, as will be recognized upon reference tothe Figures l and 5 of theaccompanying drawings.

In usage of .my 'improved hanger, a bodygarment. `suclfi'for examplepasa cloak,-coat,lovercoat vjust the over-all length of the'hanger assembly(the supporting members `I andZ) Wherebyfto properlyt or size thesamevwithgrelation-to the 'body garment tofbe supportedtherefrom, theuser of thedeviceengages .theknob orihandleld and "rotates it inA the'.requiredldirection. `Such lrotation will, of. course, eiectcorresponding rotation of the gear i6 .whose teeth. areffenmeshedwith-'the .teeth ofthe several rack portionss, aforesaid,

causingfthe fcomplementari-portions. 3 'and ..4 carry- `ingsuchiaclrs,to.beselectively movedfeither inwardly or outwardly inopposedfdirections."The fmeshingengagement .between .the teeth .of the racks 5 vand thevgear .I6 is sufciently lfree vof play to insure retention of 'the' thusylongitudinally length adjusted hanger .assembly in k.an adjustedposition.

The hanger, .engaged with valbody. garment, as above, is adaptedtobeengagedwith or supported from asuitable supporting medium-and', byreason of the ilange formation of the hook. I8, it-will be seenthatfpendulous orsWinging-.movement of the 'hanger ina directional'lright angles to ithelongitudinal Iaxis of the particularly vadjacentsupporting medium will jbe prevented. Thereby, shifting -or-undesirableldisplacement of the gar- -rnent hanger engaged-and supported garmentwillbe Ireduced to a minimum, if notlprevented.

Excessive outward longitudinal'Amovement or adjustmentyof the supportingmembers land 2 vof the "hanger assembly will-'be positively pre- "itsgear I6 vand handle 44, in 'that vparticular direction. `lLimitation ofrelatively inward `longitudinal movement of the supporting members I"and -2 of the hanger assembly will, of course, be effected when theinner end or shoulder portions of the racks 5 on the reducedcomplemental portions 3 and Il of said members I and 2 become engaged orcontacted with adjacent portions of the gear I6 during its rotarymovement.

To support skirts, trousers or other characters of articles of wearingapparel, i. e., bifurcated or skirted apparel, upon the improved hanger,appropriate portions of the same are slidably introduced into thereduced bifurcated portions of thearms 9 and I0, allowing the thusengaged garment to be hangingly supported therefrom with the bifurcatedarm engaged portions of the same in a substantially horizontal plane,whereby to ensure their retention in a manner free of Wrinkles orsimilar undesirably distorted conditions.

While I have herein disclosed and described with some particular degreeof particularity, my improved garment hanger as being provided with therelatively opposed and horizontally positioned reduced bifurcated arms 9and I0, it is to be understood that these latter devices may, ifdesired, be eliminated from the construction, hence, providing a garmenthanger including only the aforesaid supporting members I and 2. It isalso equally apparent that, if desired, but a single bifurcatedsupporting arm 9 or I0 may be supplied to the hanger assemblyconstruction. That is to say, if desired, only one of the outer ends ofthe supporting members I and 2 may be provided or equipped with theinwardly disposed and normally horizontally positioned reducedbifurcated arm 9 or lil, the length of which may be either increased ordecreased from that shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, tosuch extent as conditions or preference may dictate.

In constructing the garment shoulder engaging supporting members I and2. I am particularly desirous that the widths thereof shall be suiicientto effect a maxim of contact area with the particular garments to beengaged thereby. In this way, it will be obvious that the shoulderportions of the supported garment will be accorded supporting engagementor contact which is much of the same order or character as that whichwill be had by the same when engaged with and over the shoulders of aperson or wearer. And because of this latter manner of increased areaengagement and resultantly increased area support, it follows that thebody garment supported upon the members I and 2 of my improved hangerwill be maintained in natural and proper shape over a prolonged periodof time, hence, materially improving their retention in or preservationin proper formation-free of wrinkles and other undesirable distortions.Moreover, because of the transverse convexing of the outer or uppersides of the supporting members I and 2 and their ends 8, theimmediately :above indicated desirable results are more positivelyassured of attainment. Also, it is to be understood that because of thestraight formation of the reduced inner end portions 3 and 4 of theshoulder engaging and supporting members I and 2, engagement of theretaining sleeve I'I over and about the same whereby to eiectuallyslidably receive and support them, will be effected, thuscausparticularly, with relation to their straight complemental endportions 3 and 1I. Such retention' of the bifurcated arms 9 and I0 inthe aforesaid horizontal positions or planes will ensure proper orperpendicular hanging of garments therefrom.

I claim:

1. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and alignedgarment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent endportions thereof reduced in width and arranged in juxtaposed lateralrelation, retaining means engaged about and slidably supporting saidreduced and juxtaposed end portions. and means positioned between theadjacent sides of said reduced and juxtaposed end portions 4operablefrom without the retaining means to transmit longitudinal motion inopposite directions to the same and to their respective aligned garmentshoulder engaging and supporting members.

2. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and alignedgarment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent endportions thereof reduced in width and arranged in juxtaposed lateralrelation, means engaged about and slidably retaining said reduced andjuxtaposed end portions, and means carried by said retaining meansengaged between and with the adjacent sides of ysaid reduced juxtaposedend portions operable to transmit longituclinal motion in oppositedirections to the same and to their respective :aligned garment shoulderengaging and supporting members, v

3. A garment hanger, comprising `longitudinally opposed and alignedgarment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent endportions thereof reduced in width and arranged in juxtaposed lateralrelation, the adjacent sides of said reduced end portions havinglongitudinally disposed teeth thereon throughout vtheir respectivelengths, retaining means engaged about said reduced and juxtaposed endportions slidably supporting the same, and toothed means engaged betweenand with the teeth on the adjacent sides of said reduced and juxtaposedend portions operable to transmit longitudinal motion in oppositedirections to the same and to their respective aligned garment shoulderengaging and supporting members.

4. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and alignedgarment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent endportions of the same arranged in juxtaposed lateral relation, retainingmeans engaged about said juxtaposed end portions slidably receiving thesame, means positioned between adjacent portions of said juxtaposed endportions operable to transmit longitudinal motion in opposite directionsto the same and to their respective aligned garment shoulder engagingand supporting members, and relatively inwardly disposed horizontallypositioned bifurcated arms xedly carried on the cuter portions of eachof said members in substantially parallel relationship thereto. v

5. A garment hanger, comprising longitudinally opposed and alignedgarment shoulder engaging and supporting members having the adjacent endportions thereof arranged in juxtaposed lateral relation, retainingmeans engaged about said juxtaposed end portions slidably supporting thesame, means positioned between adjacent portions of said juxtaposed endportions operable to transmit longitudinal motion in opposite directionsto the same and to their respective aligned garment shoulder engagingand supportagee-,sae

ingsfinembesgnviaidlydisposedziandgisubstantially horizontally..arranged bfuroated'. arms xedlycarried on theouter: portion-sauf.;each. of said. shoulder s engaging; andesuppmtting; members; said, armsbeing substantially relatively paralleland laterally. juxtaposed andhaving their'. free ends normally .spaced from the outer end of theopposite shoulder engaging .i and supportingmembers, theeombineclWidths` of said arms. substantially correspondingl with Vthe width. ofeach of', said shoulder engaging. 'and .supportingI members ,and meanson portions of 'said bifurcated arms-.interengagable at times whereby tolimit outward longitudinal movement of said shoulder engaging andYsupporting members'.

.li-garmenthanger, comprising longitudina-ll' opposed and aligned.kwgarmentshoulder engaging and supportingmembers havingy the adiaoentend portions thereof arranged in juxtaposed horizontal and laterallyoverlapping-relation, the adj'aoe'ntsides of said redueedl portionshaving l'orugitudinallyv disposed and relativelyl parallel channelsformed therein., retalningmeansengagfe'doverandv aboutf'said reduced endportions s'liiablyfsupporting the same therein, and rotata bleV 'meanspositioned betweenfsaidadjacent sides of Ysaid reduced end portionsengaged in the enannels-formed therein and 'with the inner walls ofeach-thereof'operable to transmit longitudinal motionfinoppositedirectionsto said opposed and aigned shoulder engagingV Aandsupporting members.

7." A garment hanger,` comprising longitudi- 81 nally opposed?-andxaligned .garment shoulder en-4 gaging and supporting members havingthe adjaA cent inner end portions thereof arranged. in juxtaposedVhorizontal Vand laterally overlapping relation, the. adjacent sides ofsaid'inner end portions -lxaving. longitudinally disposed and relativelyparallelk .channels formed therein, retaining meanslengaged'over andabout said reducedend portionsgslidably. supporting the same therein,rackfteeth on and longitudinally of the inner wall. ofeaclrxof saidchan-nels, andv atpinion' rotatably positioned. ibetween .said adjacentsides ofv said innerendportions engaged` in said channels. and with .theracky teetlrtherein, operable to transmit longitudinal motion in.opposite directions to said opposed.` and alignedshoulder engaging andsupporting members.`

JOSEPH F. APPLEMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The-'following references are of record inthe iefofthis patent:

